Day 121 - 30th April 2016 - Palm Warbler, White Throated Sparrow and Hermit Thrush

And the day is beginning with a lovely sunrise, the sound of Song Sparrows in the yard and Loons in the lake. Looks like the promise of a nice day. I'll soon wake up the rest of the household and we'll get ready to head off for some birding and groceries. Have to work (meeting - but the same thing) -  later this afternoon.
Friday was a little warmer, wind didn't pick up until later in the day.Morning walk wasn't quite so cold and there were a few birds around.  Glad to have the first week behind me. Had a Red-winged Blackbird in the yard when we got home after work. Leftover chicken soup for soup and a roam around the hood finished off my evening.

This Palm Warbler found breakfast.

 Female Hairy Woodpecker

 I was surprised to see this White Throated Sparrow, haven't seen one around the yard for a while. He was hiding shyly in the bushes.

And of course my fav - Hermit Thrush. Seems to be lots around this year.









Enjoy your day!

Day 120 - 29th April 2016 - Dandelion, Lilac and Tree Swallow

Brrr it's chilly out this morning. Wish the days would warm up some. Well it's Friday and the last day of the work week. That can only mean that tomorrow is Saturday and a chance to get out and look for birds. Looking forward to a little  adventure.
Making some progress at the office. Usually the first week is pretty clear as no one really knows I'm back and I can play catch up with some stuff. Next week hopefully I'll tackle the research that's behind. Things are beginning to come together once again. I've skipped exercise class this week, more anxious to get out for a walk after supper and some fresh air.

Dandelions are all across the lawn.

The Lilac bush has buds emerging.
















Chickadee all puffed up getting warm in the morning sun.

The Tree Swallows are either zipping around in the air or sitting on the telephone lines. Wish one would just perch on a nice branch.






Enjoy your day!

Day 119 - 28th April 2016 - Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Mallards and a Tree Swallow

 Back to work today. Feeling a little more up to it than I was on Monday, starting to get into the swing. Although the lottery would be nice, but for now it's off to work I go. Looks like a nice day in the forecast.
What a great day at home...once the snow melted! HAHA! Might as well laugh about it. I got out and around the hood early. The yard birds seemed to be fine with the white stuff, but then they've seen it all winter. I don't think the Spring arrivals were thrilled - not a lot of singing on my route other than Song Sparrows and one Yellow Rumped Warbler. I did see and hear two Hermit Thrushes on the way back. It had warmed up by then. We have a pair of Tree Swallows that are hanging out on the Telephone line in front of the house, I keep telling them to start making their nest in the bird house. I'm seeing a number of them around so perhaps they are increasing. It was a good day at home - turkey soup, turkey casserole, breakfast bake and baked haddock along with housework and some good roaming.

Yellow Rumped Warbler singing to the sun.

A misty morning on the lake















Mallards in action

Lupins are emerging on the roadside.

I think she's telling the Male Tree Swallow to start gathering nesting supplies!






Enjoy your day!

Day 118 - 27th April 2016 - Song Sparrow, Yellow-Rumped Warbler and Northern Flicker

Wednesday - day off but lots to do. Need to get back in to my routine. Some cooking and cleaning on Wednesdays with a little hood roaming tossed in. Think I'll do Turkey soup today. It will be good for the next couple of nights at supper.  Next week I'll try out a meal one day in the slow cooker.
Had a lovely morning walk being serenaded all the way by Hermit Thrushes - probably 5 in all at various points on the road. Finally the Yellow-Rumped Warblers popped up - 4 of those and a few Palm Warblers. So it was a good morning even though it was a tad chilly. As the day went on the clouds rolled in and by afternoon it was snowing - couldn't believe it! Yes snowing! I thought we were done with that stuff. It covered the ground and the trees, I didn't bother going for a walk after supper.

This was a beautiful morning shot in town at the day care centre, then I though maybe I shouldn't be taking pictures there. Hopefully no one thought I was a weirdo.

 The handsome Male Northern Flicker.

Finally one of the Yellow Rumped Warblers.

Don't think the birds were happy with the snow! For that matter neither was I.






Enjoy your day!

Day 117 - 26th April 2016 - Woodpeckers, Palm Warbler and Hermit Thrush

A few showers on the way this afternoon but Big B. should get out with me for my morning walk. I'll take her rain jacket for later today.  Should be more birds coming along all the time now. Although I've not see a Yellow-Rumped Warbler yet which is kind of the regular ones. Maybe this morning.
Well yesterday was my first day back at work, busy getting some things done up, but it felt like being in a cage after being home and roaming freely. Going to take a few days to get back in the swing of it. I enjoy my morning walk though my fingers were frozen by the time I met up with Nancy. First section was pretty quiet but then a few birds popped out, one being my favouite the Hermit Thrush. Lots of Woodpeckers around, saw four Tree Swallows, Mallards, Grackles and Chickadees. Passed on exercise class last night - needed to get out in the fresh air not stay inside for another hour.


This was the funniest Woodpecker, he was around the ground pecking at stuff then in the road, finally off he flew to a tree.






























 Not a great shot ,but my favourite bird - Hermit Thrush arrived in the hood. Sang to me on my morning walk.

You can tell it's nesting season when.....















Palm Warbler from last evening.








Enjoy your day!

Day 116 - 25th April 2016 - Palm Warblers, Tree Swallows and Maple Trees

Brrr.....it's chilly out there this morning, but should warm up as the day goes on. I'm returning to work today, the winter is over and time for me to be inside all day. Seems like something wrong with that picture! Oh well it has to be until I win the lottery!  I'm sure I've got lots to keep me entertained after being off so long. There are still Wednesdays and weekends to get in some birding, etc. And of course I get in my morning walk, going to meet my ride with Nancy in town. 
Sunday was a lovely sunny day but.... I hate to add that - the wind - what's with the wind lately. It's still got a bit of bite to it. I am still grateful for the sun and all the signs that Spring is here to stay. I took an early morning walk before tackling all the chores I needed to get done today.  Spotted 5 Palm Warblers (3 in one area, 2 in another), 2 Tree Swallows, Song Sparrows, Grackles and 2 Tree Swallows in the yard when I returned. On the way to town - 2 Hermit Thrushes and a number of Tree Swallows. The yard is still busy with Goldfinches, Purple Finches, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Grackles and a few Starlings.

 Got closer with this Palm Warbler but on the wrong side of the light.














This one was being a little cheeky!

Tree Swallows, I hope they are going to next in our birdhouse again this year.

The Maple trees are pretty with buds emerging.









Enjoy your day!

Days 113, 114, 115 - 22nd, 23rd, 24th April 2016 - Chickadees, Song Sparrow and PalmWarbler

So I've had a little blog break. I was at the Saltscape Expo in Halifax working my B... off promoting Shelburne County. It's been quite a while since I've done shows and I'd forgotten how long the days are and how they are on hard on your body - oh my legs and back and back when I got home last night. Or maybe I'm just that much older. Anyway I think we "done good" as they say and people are planning on making visits/vacations to our lovely County. Char and I were done around 1pm yesterday so we headed home after a stop at Costco. Home and then life is back to normal with laundry on the go etc.... It sure was nice to sleep in my own bed last night even though we stayed with a friend and he was a great host. Had an early night and feel much better this morning. Not sure what we've got planned today. I've got to do grocery shopping, lunch box preps, etc. Since tomorrow is my first day back to work for the season guess I also better think about menu planning for the week. Have a turkey to cook this afternoon so that will give me a jumpstart. Not seeing time for birding in this day, well maybe a jaunt around the hood.

Chickadees are obliging little fellows.















Song Sparrow.

















That little Yellow blot in the Palm Warbler I saw before I left on Thursday. Maybe I'll find him again today and get better shots.

And another Chickadee.







Enjoy your day!

Day 112 - 21st April 2016 - Forsythia, Mayflowers and a Mallard

Brrr, it's a little chilly this morning but the moon is bright and the sky filled with stars. It almost looks like day time.  Got a busy day ahead, off to Halifax later this afternoon with Char to set up and work the Shelburne County Tourism Booth at the Saltscapes Exhibition for a couple of days. I'm sure we will have a great time and if you are around be sure to stop and visit us! Larry and Lexi are staying home of course, I'm having my own little escape! Wonder if I should take Big B.? Still have some laundry to do before packing and I think I'll make a batch of brown bread rolls to take with us, we are staying with a friend and I hate to arrive empty handed.
The crocuses are finished now, Daffodils, Forsythia and Hyacinth are blooming in the yards. As plants progress in our flower beds, they do in the woods too. Pussy willows are nearly spent, but Mayflowers are in bloom. Soon the Wild Violets will pop through the ground. Like the spring birds that are arriving (although I'm not seeing many yet in the hood) the season is changing with plants.

Forsythia
















Mayflowers - although they always seem to bloom in April.

 Just enjoying a paddle around.

 The wind was chilly after supper but still nice along the lake.

The Pussy willows won't last much longer.









Enjoy your day!

Day 111 - 20th April 2016 - Evening Grosbeak, Northern Flicker and Purple Finch

Town day! Lots to do, the day will pass quickly. Looks like it's going to be a sunny day with a little cloud cover,  might take Big B. with me, maybe I'll find something interesting along Dock Street. 
A fine day, but a bit of a chill in the air. No complaining it's much better than a month ago. There were lots of birds around the feeders today, mostly the same ones I've been watching for months now - Goldfinches, Purple Finches, Chickadees, a few Juncos. The Song Sparrows sing all day. Sure would like to have a few Warblers arrive in the hood. Cathy and I had our last Tuesday coffee on the deck. Hard to believe next week I go back to work for the season.

Female Evening Grosbeak arrived back to the feeders yesterday afternoon.














There are several Male Flickers around the hood these days. This one was claiming his territory in Lois' yard.













The Male Purple Finches are getting more colorful.

The color of Spring.









Enjoy your day!

Day 110 - 19th April 2016 - Lake, Swamp Sparrow and Wood Duck

Looks like a good day on the horizon, little cool this morning. I enjoy the early day now - you can hear the Owls hooting, Loons calling in the lake and the Song Sparrows are singing up a storm.  Still a number of birds at the feeders, but the large flock of Grackles seem to be breaking up some. Perhaps they are spreading out a little more. Lots to do today!
Another beautiful day, spring is finally here.  It was chilly when I went out for my early walk but warmed up quickly. Still no new arrival birds in the hood. Got a few things done before heading off to Margie's to help her go through the treasure box of documents and photos. Some really nice finds. Home to toss together a quick supper and then off to exercise class.  I got my weekly course started but ran out of time so will finish it up today.

Calm with a little mist rising up from the lake.

One of the Swamp Sparrows from Sunday.














A Mallard motors along in the morning light.

A Wood Duck is still around but wasn't coming in close this time.










Enjoy your day!

Day 109 - 18th April 2016 - Swamp Sparrow, Tree Swallows and the River

Monday morning you came too quickly.  Stars are all out and the peepers are chirping. Another nice day on the horizon. Have to buzz around and get some things done this morning, then I think I'm off to help my friend sort out that box of family treasures we picked up on Friday.
Sunday was a gorgeous day! We decided to go out to Clyde River and do the loop - up through Middle Clyde to Upper Clyde then home.  Saw Song Sparrows, Flickers, Swamp Sparrows (first of the season) and Tree Swallows (first of the season) so it was a great trip. For me it's the road of my childhood - these days my spring pilgrimage  to the homeland. I always stop to the Cemetery and visit Grandmother and Grandfather. The one thing that bothers me on this trip is the amount of garbage on the road - well not just the road but the push offs, side roads, etc. Since we have garbage pick up in both the Municipality of Shelburne and Barrington why is there a need to throw your furniture, appliance and other old junk in the woods. I just don't get it! Still had the whole afternoon at home to do some work. The best of both worlds.

 Swamp Sparrow - there were 4 in one place.

 We saw 5 Tree Swallows in all, but 4 were in one yard.
















She had staked out the bird house below her and wasn't letting anyone else have it.

 The river was moving fast.








Enjoy your day!

Day 108 - 17th April 2016 - Hermit Thrush, Green Wing Teals, Sanderlings and a Gull

Not quite so windy this morning. The Song Sparrow is singing already even though daylight hasn't quite arrived. A few ducks can be heard in the lake and peepers out along the roadside. My time of the day. No idea what's on the agenda, maybe a little trip around the Clyde loop although it's probably too early to see much. We'll see where the wind takes us.
We had a good adventure, however on hindsight I might have picked inland instead of the coastline. The wind was wicked and quite chilly.  Headed off to Blanche first, not much around but the two Hermit Thrushes (made the trip worthwhile) and some Chickadees and Gulls. Larry spotted Common Eiders with the binoculars way off. On to Baccaro for more Gulls and Eiders. A few Buffleheads and Mergansers in some of the ponds along the road. Then off to Cape Sable Island - it was low tide by the time we arrived. I found the Sanderlings on Daniel's Head Beach but once again everything was quiet. We had our packed lunch then went over to Barrington for groceries and homeward bound. Still time to get some things done at home - woodpile for Larry, kitchen work for me.

I finally found my favourite songster -  the Hermit Thrush at Blanche. There were two of them.

A pair of Green Wing Teals - wished the light had been on the other side.

 Three of the twelve Sanderlings that were running along Daniel's Head beach.

A gull - immature but not going to try figuring out what kind.







Enjoy your day!